State and Local Reporter - 02/09/2006 (Plain Text Version)Barry Rutenberg, Chair View Graphical Version | Subscribe
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Editor... In this issue: Midterm Elections to Stir Powers in the States2006 brings 44 state legislatures to active session in America’s state capitols. Just as important, however, this year will also be witness to a vigorous midterm election cycle. What’s up for grabs? Try all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, 33 U.S. Senate seats, 46 state legislatures, and 36 governorships. Simple logic will tell you that the party in power usually has the most to lose during the midterm, and this year is no exception. At the present time, the Republicans hold a 28 – 22 majority in the governors' mansions. Twenty-two of the contested governor seats are currently held by Republicans as opposed to only 14 being held by Democrats. Both gubernatorial elections in 2005 (Virginia and New Jersey) were won by the Democratic candidate, and still worse for the GOP is all but 1 of the 9 open seat races (where there is no incumbent) are to fill vacancies now occupied by Republicans. The GOP also holds control in both houses of 20 legislatures, as opposed to 19 for Democrats. Political prognosticators argue that the beat of American public sentiment will be reflected more so by the gubernatorial elections, than by the Congressional midterm races. Want to gauge America’s approval/disapproval of the country’s direction? Look no further than the state elections of 2006. With the departure of political stalwarts like Florida Governor Jeb Bush, New York Governor George Pataki, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee all eyes will be on both political parties as they test market ideas, policy concepts, and messaging heading into the 2008 presidential election. State governments, no matter their party affiliation, are increasingly legislating independent of the federal government. A deep divide between the two layers of government have been revealed on issues such as Hurricane Katrina, stem cell research, No Child Left Behind, prescription drug costs, use of the National Guard, and the national debt. The GOP has for over a decade dominated America’s state capitols. In the 1990s, Republicans made huge strides in large states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida, but they have also been very successful in traditionally Democratic states like Connecticut, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. The balance of power, however, may soon be taking on a more level appearance. Democrats have difficult races ahead in Michigan and Wisconsin, but compare that to Republican vulnerabilities in key states like New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and California. Even current Republican Governors Association Chairman Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) concedes that the numbers are just not in the GOP’s favor. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the top challenges for states in 2006 include: planning for emergencies, closing the energy gap, tax and spending limits, eminent domain, funding for education, immigration, and stem cell research. With the election looming, expect to see a heavy dose of rhetoric and very little compromise. Only time will tell whether this election pressure will translate to gridlock or progress. Click here to view a copy of NAHB's State & Local Political Operation's 2006 State Poltical Outlook Report For more information on state political races, e-mail Ashley Feaster in NAHB's State & Local Political Operations department, or Carlos Gutierrez with NAHB's Industry Relations department. Both Ashley and Carlos can be reached via phone at 800-368-5242 x8126 and 800-368-5242 x8242 respectively. For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2005, National Association of Home Builders |